Drug firms win help to combat the killers

The drugs industry gave a warm welcome last night to a promise of help from the chancellor to cut the cost of developing affordable vaccines for killer diseases in developing countries, such as Aids, malaria and tuberculosis.

Mr Brown said he was concerned that the level of research in the area was minimal because drug firms fear they cannot make a profit without pricing underprivileged patients out of the market.

He has ordered Treasury officials to begin an "urgent" review of ways to help meet the cost of research, either through tax incentives or government subsidies. Results of the review are likely within a year.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry reacted positively. A spokeswoman said: "This is something the industry will welcome. We've been saying for some time there's a need for joint action between the industry and the government to look at issues related to getting medicines to the third world."

Mr Brown's pledge follows a series of initiatives elsewhere. In March, Bill Clinton met the bosses of the world's biggest vaccine makers to discuss ways of delivering antidotes more effectively to children in developing countries. Microsoft chief Bill Gates has set up a charity to support work in the area.

There was a warning that the government should avoid targeting help merely at "eye-catching" diseases. Stephen Inglis, research director of the Cambridge-based vaccines specialist Cantab Pharmaceuticals, said: "There are many, many diseases beyond those mentioned by the chancellor which are perhaps less in the public eye. There are plenty of bacterial infections, for example."

Mr Inglis also pointed out that even after the cost of research, manufacturing and distribution can make the price of drugs too high. Millions of children still die from measles in developing countries, despite the fact that vaccines are on the market.